Coal Tar Driveways Could Spread Toxins

Monday, January 25, 2010, 11:39

Revamping your driveway with a fresh coat of black sealant may no longer be a good idea, for scientists have discovered that homes with black parking lots have surprisingly large doses of carcinogens in their household dust.

Researchers have sought to determine the link between high quantities of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment and sealed parking lots.

It was found that the amount of PAHs was on average 25 times higher inside apartments with coal tar sealed parking lots than those with without. On the parking lots itself, the concentrations exceed that number, almost by a factor of 60.

The group in Environmental Science and Technology, pointed out that it was a big cause of worry since kids and pets often play on driveways. Kids eat dust. They're on the floor and they put everything in their mouths. So, it poses a great threat to the children.